All applications for the grant or renewal of a prospecting licence under the Geothermal Energy Act, Cap. 197 (the Act) shall be made to the office of the Director of Geology, Mines and Rural Water Supply and shall be made for an area as specified in regulation 1. The Minister shall not grant a licence, the application for which has not first been made public as prescribed in regulation 2. The Minister shall, when deciding on an application, take into account any objections received, but may reje